I had two sets of these tyres on my first Z4 and found, and posted, that the grip seemed to dissolve away at low temps (~7C and below). Having now run my second Z4 on these 'same' tyres through the recent cold spells I have found them to be a bit of a revelation in that grip has been fine, holding up noticeably better at low temperatures compared to previous ones. Does anyone know if Bridgestone have been working on improving their RFTs?
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Bridgestone RFTs
- Thread starter Garvin
- Start date
This often happens on old v's new tyres. Tyres age by getting harder, as they get harder they lose grip at lower temps. Also are you sure that you have exactly the same tyres? There are a total of 6 BMW approved RE 050 variants - There are W, W XL & Y XL variants all with 3 of those having an A1 & A(space)1 tyres which have different energy efficiency ratings...
First thing I checked and they are marked the same, although I can't be sure of the A1 or A 1 marking! None of the tyres have been 'old' and all have been around the same age/mileage when they had to contend with the winter temperatures. Pressures have been the same as well.
What I also noticed is that these latest tyres do not have the tendency to skip/hop across broken surfaces as the earlier ones did.
There is a definite, noticeable improvement and I can only think there is some modification to construction or compound.
What I also noticed is that these latest tyres do not have the tendency to skip/hop across broken surfaces as the earlier ones did.
There is a definite, noticeable improvement and I can only think there is some modification to construction or compound.
I had them on the E85 and they weren't good! Yet on the E89 I think they are fine.
It will have to be runflats when i change tyres as my wife heard an "expert" saying that they were the only tyres that suited Autobahn speeds!
She now says she won't let me do over 100 mph on holiday with non runflats - yes I've told her about Y ratings etc.
It will have to be runflats when i change tyres as my wife heard an "expert" saying that they were the only tyres that suited Autobahn speeds!
She now says she won't let me do over 100 mph on holiday with non runflats - yes I've told her about Y ratings etc.
Sounds like you got the one with the better efficiency rating, that means the tyre is more flexible (less power required to deform the tyre than move the suspension &/or car upwards). At low temps & heavily textured surfaces is where you see the biggest traction gains from a supple tyre, as it conforms to the road surface better it offers a larger true contact patch.
I dunno if the less compliant tyres are in production or not but you can find both types for sale (e.g. at mytyres, note 2x W & 2x Y speed rated tyres with different EU labels). The tyres with the better energy rating (&/or worse wet grip rating) are more compliant - it depends which if the tyre is close to a rating boundary or not. Basically you're in a mine field with a barely working metal detector.
Interesting! Well I'll stick with these as they are pretty good now - not as much 'fun' as the previous offerings . . . . . . I'm almost missing the rear sliding around at 'modest' speeds! I've also been checking them on a couple of surfaces where previously, under straight line acceleration, the traction used to light up like a Christmas Tree - requires real provocation to do it now!